Japanese Course:
“Encounter Japan, Stroll Through Nagasaki”(half a day)

About 4 minutes on foot from Oura Cathedral（大浦天主堂） Tram Stop / About 9 minutes on foot from Nagasaki Port Matsugae International Terminal

The Minamiyamate area is about a 9-minute walk from Nagasaki Port’s Matsugae International Terminal. With many World Heritage-related sites such as Oura Cathedral and Glover Garden, this historic sightseeing district is rich in exotic atmosphere, featuring Western-style houses lining cobblestone slopes. Located along Glover Street, Mominoki Core is a souvenir shop and rest area. Be sure to check out the vividly colored accessories with traditional Japanese patterns. A three-piece set includes a pouch, hand mirror, and tissue case decorated with designs inspired by Japan’s seasonal beauty, such as cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. The shop also offers Nagasaki specialties such as castella cake, braised pork, and champon noodles. And traditional crafts like vidro glass, as well as T-shirts and magnets. T-shirts featuring the “Nagasaki” logo and local landmarks are especially popular as travel mementos.
 

As Japan’s only international trading port in the past, Nagasaki is said to be where “bent-tail cats” arrived by ship from places such as Indonesia. Known for their bent tails said to “hook in good fortune,” Nagasaki is considered a sacred place for these cats and a must-visit for cat lovers.
Omagari Neko Chaya, a shop and café named after these cats, opened in February 2025 as part of activities supporting rescued cats who have lost their owners.

With the “Otemae Matcha” experience (including sweets), you can prepare your own matcha and immerse yourself Japan’s unique hospitality and wabi-sabi aesthetics. Using a bamboo whisk (chasen), staff will guide you through the process. Perfection isn’t required, simply enjoy it your own way. The matcha, made from Sonogi tea is a specialty of Higashisonogi Town in Nagasaki Prefecture. It offers mellow umami and sweetness with little bitterness, making it easy to drink. Also recommended is the “Masu Parfait,” inspired by the crooked-tail cat. This sweet treat, served in a wooden masu box, is filled with soft-serve ice cream, red bean paste, shiratama dumplings, castella, and other Japanese flavors.

Inside the shop, you can purchase exclusive items such as cat-themed goods, antique tableware, striking jackets in Japanese patterns, origami crane accessories, and chopstick rests. Photo panels of rescued cats are displayed to help support adoption opportunities. At the sister shop, Nagasaki Omagari Neko Shrine, you’ll find an even wider selection of cat-themed items.
 

Around the Hamanomachi Arcade in central Nagasaki is the city’s most vibrant downtown area, where commerce and daily life blend together. Long-established kimono shops, department stores, tax-free drugstores, trendy cafés, and variety shops coexist. It is also known as the main venue area for events such as the Nagasaki Kunchi Festival and the Nagasaki Lantern Festival.

Tucked away in a back alley of the arcade, Nihon Ryori Saigetsu serves Japanese cuisine prepared by a chef who has honed his skills over many years, using seasonal ingredients locally. Nagasaki Prefecture boasts the highest variety of fish species in Japan (over 250 types), with seasonal catches such as yellowtail, shrimp, and tuna available throughout the year. At Saigetsu, the head chef personally selects exceptionally fresh fish from the Nagasaki Fish Market. The recommended “Petit Luxury Course” features 12 dishes, including sushi, sashimi, grilled items, sukiyaki, and tempura. Beautiful presentations reflecting the seasons and cooking techniques that highlight the natural flavors of the ingredients provide a truly special Nagasaki dining experience. A selection of local sake from Nagasaki Prefecture is also available for pairing. The restaurant offers multilingual menus and welcomes walk-ins without reservations.

Dejima-machi is home to Dejima, where you can explore recreated Edo-period rooms, view valuable exhibits, rent kimono, and enjoy Nagasaki gourmet food. It offers an experience like stepping back in time. With nearby attractions such as the Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum and Nagasaki Seaside Park, it is an ideal area to feel the intersection of history and modernity.

Just a one-minute walk from Dejima is Irohaya Dejima Main Store, a select souvenir shop conveying the passion of producers from Kyushu and Nagasaki. From classic souvenirs such as castella, local sake, and champon to hidden gems known only to insiders, the shop offers a wide range of items with distinctive design and themes. Particularly eye-catching is the “Nagasaki Cookie Tin” (3,500 yen) shaped after five landmarks: Dejima, Oura Cathedral, Hashima Coal Mine (Gunkanjima Island), Peace Park, and Meganebashi. The tin is designed by Nagasaki-born illustrator Kiyoshi Ishibashi, and each cookie inside, made by the long-established confectionery Gâteau Friand, is filled with happiness. Matcha sets (tea bowl, tea scoop, matcha powder) and coffee filters, tableware, and chopstick rests made from Hasami porcelain are also recommended as souvenirs.